Apparatus for handling containers



Nov. 8, 1966 Filed Dec. 30, 1964 J. W. DEMPSTER ETAL APPARATUS FORHANDLING CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet l am, 4M, M

ATTORNEYS J. w. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,283,932

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Nov, 8, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledDec. 30, 1964 ATTORNEYS 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER ETAL 3,

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Dec. 30, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5M"BZLMMIMMMW ATTORNEXLI Nov. 8, 1966 J. w. DEMPSTER FETAL.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING 'CONTAINERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 30, 1964INVENTORS United States Patent Office 3,283fi32 Patented Nov. 8, 19663,283,932 APPARATUS FOR HANDLING CONTAINERS James W. Dempster, Thomas J.Huey, In, and Steven C. Voorhees, Knoxville, Tenn, assignors to DempsterBrothers, 1116., Knoxville, Tenn., a corporation of Ten- Filed Dec. 30,1964, Ser. No. 422,146 3 Claims. (01.214-516) This invention relates toimprovements in apparatus for handling containers and, moreparticularly, to the transfer of containers between a railway car and ahighway vehicle.

Apparatus of the character described which has been proposed and in useheretofore usually has employed relatively high bolsters on the railwaycar and vehicle for interchangeable transfer of a containertherebetween. The transfer apparatus used with such equipment hasrequired space for its operation between the underside of the containerand the frame or bed of the car and vehicle in order to operate underthe container and to connect therewith at respective successive points.

In some environments, it has been found that the necessary space for thepurpose is not available which, therefore, has precluded the use of thetype of equipment proposed for the purpose.

One object of this invention is to simplify and improve the apparatusfor connection with and transfer of a container between a railway carand a road vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide for connection between thetransfer apparatus and the container at successive points transverselyof the container above the bottom thereof so as to make unnecessary acantilever motion underneath the container in order to connect theapparatus therewith for effecting the transfer.

Still another object of the invention is to provide for the operation ofthe cantilever means substantially in a horizontal direction relative tothe container and to connect therewith at the ends of the container,above the bottom surface, thereby to allow for a lowering of thecontainer relative to the railway car or vehicle with a resulting morestable mounting of the container by reason of such lowered relation.

These objects may be accomplished, according to one embodiment of theinvention, by providing on a container points of connection spaced apartat intervals along the width of the container adjacent to, but above,the bottom surface of the container. Cantilever means are provided onthe vehicle or on the railway car and operating transversely thereof foreffecting the necessary transfer of a container interchangeablytherebetween..

The transfer means includes one or more hook devices, preferablyarranged adjacent each opposite end .of the container in position forconnection with the hook surfaces on the container to effect the desiredaction in the transfer operation. This action involves movement of thetransfer devices, including the cantilever means first into hookengagement with the container at one end of the hook means thereon andthen back to move the container one step, after which the cantilevermeans is moved forward again and into engagement with another hook meanson the container spaced from the first-mentioned hook means, and thenback to move the container a second step. This is continued until thecontainer has been shifted from one vehicle to the other or off thevehicle, as the case may be.

This embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a highway vehicle, showing a containerthereon with transfer means provided on the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a partial top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of one of the carriage assemblies;

FIG. 4 is an end elevation thereof;

FIG. 5 is a detail cross section, with parts in elevation, taken on theline 5-5 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of a container and cantileverdevice connected therewith.

The invention is shown as applied to a motor vehicle, such as a roadwaytruck, including a chassis frame 1 supported by highway wheels 2. Thevehicle is usually self-propelled under control of an operator within acab 3.

Mounted on the chassis frame 1 at longitudinally spaced points thereonare transversely extending bolsters 4 extending from side to side of thevehicle, but preferably these bolsters do not extend beyond the lateralconfines of the widest portion of the vehicle including the cab 3 andthe fenders provided over the wheels. Each of the bolsters 4 preferablyhas connected with opposite ends thereof jack devices, generallyindicated at 5, extending vertically in position to contact the groundor floor and to lift or stabilize the vehicle with respect thereto.These jack devices 5 may be hydraulically operated in the usual mannerand preferably are braced, as shown at 6 in FIG. 5, for stability.

Each of the bolsters 4 is provided on its upper surface with a seat 7extending throughout the length of the bolster and having an uprightshoulder 8 beside the seat 7 so as to form a guide for a container. Thecontainer is illustrated generally at 9 in FIGS. 1 and 6 and may be of asize and shape to accommodate-a large capacity of lading, such forexample as the size of a truck body.

The container 9 is provided with corner posts 10, according to theillustrated embodiment, and suitably braced for adequate stability. Theunder structure of the container is not illustrated, but may be of anysuitable or desired form and character.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, a hook bar 11 extendsalong each opposite end of the container 9 above the bottom surface ofthe container but preferably located at or adjacent the bottom surfaceto facilitate operation or handling of the container. Each hook bar 11is shown as channel-shaped with the open side thereof turned outwardlyfrom the container 9 for freedom of access into the hook bar 11throughout the major portion of the length thereof.

Mounted at intervals along the length of each hook bar 11, preferablythroughout the width of the container 9, are hook means or shouldersformed according to this embodiment by pins 12 extending in bridgingrelation between opposite sides of the channel-shaped hook bar 11 andanchored as by welding to said opposite sides. These hook pins 12 areaccessible both through the ends of the channels and also laterallybetween the flanges thereof at successive points along the width of thecontainer.

A cantilever device is shown at 13, including an arm 14 extending in agenerally horizontal direction from an upstanding pivot pin 15'. Thefree end portion of the arm 14 remote from the pivot 15 is shown in theform of a substantially horizontal plate, with hooks 15 disposed inopposed relation and having a shuttle 16 interposed therebetweenpivotally mounted for freedom of swinging movement into coveringrelation with either of the hooks 15, as will be apparent from 'FIGS. 3and 6.

The pivotal mounting 15' for the arm 14 is supported by a carriage,generally, indicated at 17, having slide members 18 at opposite sidesthereof. The slide members 18 are mounted in guides 19, one of which isprovided in the adjacent bolster 4 and the other is provided by a crossrail 20 extending transversely of the vehicle parallel with the adjacentbolster 4 and throughout the length of the latter.

Mounted on the carriage 17 is an upstanding abutment 21 which extendsbeside the arm 14. interposed between the abutment 21 and the arm 14 isa coiled spring 22 which bears against a flange 23 on the arm 14,normally tending to urge the arm inwardly over the seat 7 of thebolster.

One of the cantilever devices 13 has been described for a carriage 17and it will be appreciated that a similar cantilever device is providedat each opposite end of the mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, andthat these operate toward and from each other in opposed relation.Moreover, if it be desired to transfer the container 9 off the vehiclein the opposite direction from which it is drawn onto the vehicle, itwill also be appreciated that a similar cantilever device is provided ateach opposite end of each carriage 17 and that these are turned inopposite directions, as shown in FIG. 2. The structure and operation ofeach of the cantilever devices with respect to the hook means 12 on thecontainer will be the same as described above.

As a means of moving the carriage across the vehicle from side to side,we have illustrated gearing for operating the same. This gea-ring isshown as comprising a rack bar 24 secured to the under portion of thecarriage 17 between the guides 19. Meshing with the rack bar 24 is agear 25 mounted on a suitable shaft 26 that extends transversely beneaththe guides 19 and is mounted at opposite ends in bearings 27.

Also mounted on the shaft 26is a sprocket gear 28 over which a sprocketchain 29' extends to the opposite side of the chassis frame 1. An idlersprocket gear 30 (FIG. 5) normally tends to hold the chain tight andreturn the chain above and across the chassis frame 1.

At the opposite side of the chassis 1, the chain 29 extends over a gearsimilar to the sprocket 28 mounted on a drive shaft 31. Operativelyconnected through a gear reducer 32' with the drive shaft 31 is ahydraulic drive motor 32. It will be noted that the drive shaft 31extends in both opposite directions from the motor 32, separate shaftsbeing used to drive the assembly at the front and rear ends of thevehicle.

The container 9 extends in bridging relation from its seated position onthe respective seats and guides 7-8 at the front and rear end portionsof the vehicle, so that its mid portion is unsupported thereby. If thecontainer should be of substantial length, an intermediate centersupport should be provided therefor, as indicated generally at 33 inFIGS. 1 and 2. This may be in the form of a guideway of proper heightand should be supported midway between the carriages 17 at opposite endsof the vehicle. 7

Some of the structure herein described has been dis closed in priorapplication, Serial No. 255,481, filed February 1, 1963, and referencemay be had thereto for an understanding of the operation thereof.

In shifting the container 9 from one vehicle to another it will beapparent that the motor 32 may be operated under control of the operatorin the cab 3 to slide the carriages 17 transversely of the vehicle.Initially, with a container in the position shown in dotted lines inFIG. 2, the carriages 17 would be moved forward to engage the cantileverdevices 13 with the first set of shoulder means 12 on the ends of thecontainer.

Each of the arms 14 normally is urged inward by the coiled spring 22 toassure the engagement of the hooks 15 with the pins 12. The shuttle 16will swing forward or backward during manipulation of the carriage toallow the arm to ride over one set of pins and then upon reversing thismotion to engage the latter. The shuttle 16 allows movement of the arm14 from pin to pin and permits engagement of the arm in either a pullingor pushing rela tionship at any pin. Upon reversing the movement of thecarriages 17, the container is moved forward toward the one vehicle as,for example, to the full line position of the cantilever devices 13shown in FIG. 2. Then, upon reversing the carriages 17, these are againmoved forward and in like manner engage with the second set of pins 12.Upon again reversing the travel of the carriages 17, these will pull thecontainer 21 second step. This action is continued until the containeris moved onto the vehicle.

If it be desired to unload the container from the supporting vehicle inthe opposite direction, the carriages can be manipulated in like mannerto move the container by the cantilever devices located on the oppositeends of the respective carriages to effect a pushing action first byengagement of one shoulder device and then another until the containerhas moved step by step off the carrying vehicle.

By locating the cantilever devices 13 so as to operate in a horizontaldirection above the lower edge of the container, the height of thecontainer can be kept very close to the frame of the vehicle, not onlyfor better stability of the container in its travelling position butalso to eliminate the need for bolsters of substantial height. Thus, thestructure is materially simplified and improved and the mechanism canoperate efficiently to effect the desired transfer in the mannerexplained.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in oneembodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be madetherein without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

We claim:

1. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of acontainer having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle formovement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, saidcontainer having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides ofthe container above the bottom-most surface of the container, meansforming a plurality of hook stations spaced apart lengthwise of the hookbar and each hook station having a hooking surface means mounted on thevehicle and spaced laterally outside the container for movementtransversely relative to the vehicle, a cantilever member mounted onsaid transversely movable means for substantially horizontal movementtoward and from the hook bar, and hook means on the cantilever memberfor engagement with the hooking surfaces of the respective hook stationsto move the container transversely onto and off the vehicle.

2. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of acontainer having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle formovement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, saidcontainer having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides ofthe container above the bottom-most surface of the container,

3. In transporting equipment, the combination with a vehicle, of acontainer having surrounding sides and mounted on the vehicle formovement transversely relative thereto onto and off the vehicle, saidcontainer having a hook bar connected therewith on one of the sides ofthe container above the bottom-most surface of the container, meansforming a plurality of hook stations spaced apart lengthwise of the hookbar and each hook station having a hooking surface, a carriage mountedon the vehicle and spaced latera-l-ly outside the container for movementtransversely relative thereto, a cantilever device, means pivotallymounting the cantilever device for horizontal swinging movement towardand from the hook bar in a position above the bottom surface of thecontainer, and hook hook surface of each respective hook station to movethe container transversely of the vehicle upon movement of the carriage.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MARVIN A.CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

means on the cantilever device in position to engage the 15 MAKAY,Assistant Examiner-

3. IN TRANSPORTING EQUIPMENT, THE COMBINATION WITH A VEHICLE, OF ACONTAINER HAVING SURROUNDING SIDES AND MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE FORMOVEMENT TRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THERETO ONTO AND OFF THE VEHICLE, SAIDCONTAINER HAVING A HOOK BAR CONNECTED THEREWITH ON ONE OF THE SIDES OFTHE CONTAINER ABOVE THE BOTTOM-MOST SURFACE OF THE CONTAINER, MEANSFORMING A PLURALITY OF HOOK STATIONS SPACED APART LENGTHWISE OF THE HOOKBAR AND EACH HOOK STATION HAVING A HOOKING SURFACE, A CARRIAGE MOUNTEDON THE VEHICLE AND SPACED LATERALLY OUTSIDE THE CONTAINER FOR MOVEMENTTRANSVERSELY RELATIVE THERETO, A CANTILEVER DEVICE, MEANS PIVOTALLYMOUNTING THE CANTILEVER DEVICE FOR HORIZONTAL SWINGING MOVEMENT TOWARDAND FROM THE HOOK BAR IN A POSITION ABOVE THE BOTTOM SURFACE OF THECONTAINER, AND HOOK MEANS ON THE CANTILEVER DEVICE IN POSITION TO ENGAGETHE HOOK SURFACE OF EACH RESPECTIVE HOOK STATION TO MOVE THE CONTAINERTRANSVERSELY OF THE VEHICLE UPON MOVEMENT OF THE CARRIAGE.